J.K. Dobbins, a free agent running back with 22 career touchdowns, is one of the most exciting names on the market this offseason. After showcasing his ability as a dual-threat playmaker during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers, Dobbins has earned a reputation as someone who can make an immediate impact.
Now, teams like the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Chicago Bears are all being floated as potential landing spots for the talented 26-year-old, according to PFSN’s Kyle Soppe in his article Best Remaining 2025 NFL Free Agents. Here’s a closer look at why these teams could use him — and where they might fall short.
Cleveland Browns: A Familiar Ground-and-Pound Philosophy
The Browns have always leaned on a powerful rushing game, but they’re at a crossroads. With Nick Chubb testing free agency, Cleveland faces the possibility of starting fresh in the backfield. Their offensive line is still one of the top units in the league — a huge draw for any running back — but without a dynamic rusher, they risk becoming too one-dimensional.
Dobbins could provide more stability to an offense that struggled with inconsistency at quarterback last season. Deshaun Watson’s uneven performances, combined with appearances from former backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson, left the Browns searching for answers.
Adding Dobbins would give the offense a reliable centerpiece while Watson (or whoever Cleveland’s QB is) works to rediscover his form. “Reasonable minds can argue about the Cleveland Browns’ direction as a franchise, but they lack backfield options, and Dobbins is at least a reasonable committee option,” wrote Soppe.
“If you believe that the Browns will pursue Abdul Carter in the 2025 NFL Draft and make a move to address the QB position, it stands to reason that they will want to bolster their short-term roster depth, and Dobbins can do that at a spot of uncertainty.”
Las Vegas Raiders: A Team in Transition
The Raiders are a bit of a mystery right now. With Pete Carroll stepping in as head coach, the team is rebuilding its identity. They’ve got some solid pieces in Geno Smith at quarterback and Christian Wilkins anchoring the defense, but their offense lacks a true centerpiece, with Alexander Mattison and Raheem Mostert as the current running backs on the roster.
Dobbins’ ability to step into a lead role as both a runner and pass-catcher could make him the player Las Vegas builds around. Carroll is known for valuing toughness and versatility in his players, and Dobbins brings plenty of both. The Raiders’ roster, however, is still a work in progress. Their offensive line isn’t as solid as Cleveland’s, and there’s a lot of pressure on Carroll to turn things around quickly in the competitive AFC West.
“The Las Vegas Raiders signed Raheem Mostert, and he joins Dobbins on the list of ‘I like what I see in spurts but wouldn’t want to hand him the ball 15+ times for four months’ running backs. … NFL teams are more willing now than ever to commit on a two-back system, and the Raiders could pencil that in for a season while they try to determine their franchise’s direction.”
Chicago Bears: Betting on a Bright Future
The Bears are banking on their young talent, led by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, to take them into a new era. While their offense has plenty of potential, it’s also unproven. The line protecting Williams is young and still finding its footing, and the running game has been inconsistent at best.
That’s where Dobbins could change the narrative. His experience and ability to produce in high-stakes moments would provide much-needed stability to Chicago’s offense. Pairing him with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s creative schemes and Williams’ athleticism could make for an exciting combination.
“Williams ranked 18th in play-action yards per pass, proving that he can thrive with even the smallest amount of defensive deception (34th in yards per non-play-action pass). The Bears aren’t likely to compete at a high level in the loaded NFC North this season, but allowing their QB to develop with a little more help will likely be a priority, and this signing could help with that.”
The Bears’ big challenge is turning potential into production. If Dobbins signs with Chicago, he’d likely carry much of the load early on while the rest of the offense catches up.
As free agency unfolds, the decision on where Dobbins will land is one of the offseason’s hottest topics. Each of these teams has compelling reasons to pursue the star running back, but they also come with their own unique challenges. Wherever Dobbins decides to go this offseason, he’ll undoubtedly be a game-changer.